There comes a time in every young person’s life and career stage when they start considering purchasing their own home. It is not an easy decision to make, but definitely a life-changing one that needs much consideration. While a lot of younger people are now living with their parents for longer due to economic changes and instability, there is nothing like a taste of independence when you do get to the stage where you are considering buying your own home and getting onto the property ladder and market.

If do decide this is the time to get your first home, the first thing you need to do is work out how much you can afford by way of a mortgage. If you are looking to get a bank loan, you will need to provide your income details to lenders so you can find out how much they are prepared to lend you, and you can also check your credit online ahead of time to know what kind of loan you may end up with. This will then enable you to focus on properties that you know you can afford rather than wasting ones that may end up being out of your price range.

Three important factors to consider before buying:

1.Location

Once you know how much you can borrow, you can start a serious hunt for the perfect property in the right area. Choosing the right location is of the utmost importance so it is worth doing an address search online for any property you are considering. This will make it easier for you to find out more about the area if you are not familiar with it. You can then make a more informed choice with regards to whether this is the right area for you.

2. Property Type

You also need to make sure that the property type is suited to your needs. For instance, you may be considering moving in with a partner in which case a small apartment may be fine. However, if you plan to start a family quite soon, the last thing you want is to have to uproot again to find a bigger property so you should take factors like this into consideration to start with. In addition, make sure that the property has all the features and amenities you are most interested in such as a garden, driveway, garage, or any other features that are of particular interest to you.

3. Neighborhood

Looking at the local facilities is also important if you want to benefit from convenience and ease. Depending on your circumstances and household, you may want to look into where the nearest facilities are such as medical centers, dental surgeries, schools or educational facilities, restaurants, shops, and other facilities that you may need. If you drive, make sure you also look at the convenience of the local road links to see how easy it will be to get around. If you don’t drive, take some time to learn more about the local public transport links before you make your decision.

Looking at all of these factors will make it easier for you to determine which property you should go for when you decide to finally break free and get your own place. Talking to a real estate agent, other home owners, and financial advisors can also help point you in the right direction and give you peace of mind before taking the plunge to buy your first house.